We were lucky to catch up with Ed Pelotte recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ed, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

For me it all started back as a junior in high school. I took an introductory to woodworking class and it was all downhill from there. It started off as a simple bookshelf and morphed into working with a team on building a canoe. My senior year in high school I jumped into design/build projects. I was able to open my mind into more creative avenues in woodworking.
Over the years I was able to use my woodworking abilities to build homes and renovation projects. 20 years ago I decided to get into historic restoration work. This type of work definitely has some challenges with it but it also brings great reward. In the process of restoration I have the pleasure of working on restoring historic stained glass windows. Which over those last 20 years I got into doing stained glass work as a hobby. Today I mostly do wood turning and stained glass work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got started in this craft 20 plus years ago as a hobby and is technically still a hobby. The reason why I got into this craft was to use It has a creative outlet. I love taking an idea that I see or have in my mind drawer it out on paper and then create it. It’s also fun talking with someone about their creative idea and they make it come to fruition. What’s so fun is taking a block of wood That was going to be used as firewood and mount it to the lathe and watch it become an amazing piece of art. Or take what looks like random colored glass and turn it into an amazing suncatcher that will brighten any mood. I think what I’m most proud of is the ability to take ones idea and turn it into reality. I believe that is the purpose of me continually doing what I do. It brings joy to my life to see other people’s happiness. I think what sets me apart from some people is the ability to use different mediums to create unique pieces of art. And also to work with people to bring their ideas into reality. I want people to know that what seems to be a simple idea can turn into something extraordinary.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think what is rewarding in being a woodworker/stained glass artist is being able to use your creative ideas such as nature, and turn them into art. Bringing joy to people with your art is very rewarding.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

You can’t have resilience unless you’ve had failure. I’ve definitely had my fair share of failure. I’ve started many projects with great expectations that have crashed and burned. The failures you learn along the way will teach you patience and fortitude.

Contact Info:

• Website: mainelywoodworks.com
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